HOW CABINET MIGHT LOOK AFTER RESHUFFLE
PASCHAL DONOHOE FINANCE Donohoe was one of the first ministers to pledge their allegiance to Mr Varadkar. He is extremely well liked in the party – and widely regarded as a future leader himself. With his early pledge, he has surely earned a promotion from his current Public Expenditure role to Finance.
SIMON COVENEY HOUSING Coveney may well still be made Tánaiste, but given he specifically asked to be stay in Housing saying that it was one of the most important portfolios, he may have backed himself into a corner. Whatever role he has it will be a significant one.
FRANCES FITZGERALD TANAISTE AND POSSIBLY EDUCATION Leo Varadkar last night signalled that he may keep Frances Fitzgerald in the office of Tánaiste after saying that he appreciated her support. His comments were being interpreted as him returning her loyalty.
MICHAEL RING RURAL AFFAIRS Enda Kenny’s right hand is a vigorous debater. Likeable Michael has been a success as Junior Sports Minister, scoring winners when it comes to grant aid for his own Mayo constituency.
RICHARD BRUTON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE/ ECONOMIC GROWTH Bruton toyed with the idea of running for the top job but in the end threw his weight behind Varadkar. The Education Minister has hinted he has a lot of economic experience that could be put to use.
EOGHAN MURPHY JOBS As Leo Varadkar’s campaign director Eoghan Murphy worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the last few months and helped to give him his ‘shock and awe’ effect in the first few days of the campaign. He has surely earned a promotion.
SIMON HARRIS HEALTH It seems likely that Simon Harris will stay where he is in Health. He has shown aptitude in the department and has spoken convincingly of the now critical need for consistency in health policy.Mr Varadkar has backed a long-term plan on Health.
MARY MITCHELL O’CONNOR DUMPED OR EDUCATION The future of the current Jobs Minister hangs in the balance. There has been a lot of talk that she may be dropped, but one possibility is that she may be moved into Education.
ENDA KENNY Won’t be in Cabinet. Leo and Enda met by accident at breakfast in the Dáil canteen yesterday and later spoke by phone. Mr Varadkar then spoke publicly of finding a way to use the outgoing Taoiseach’s talents for the continued good of the party and country – and will talk to him further about what role he might play.
REGINA DOHERTY SOCIAL PROTECTION The Meath TD has a high level of selfregard but has been a staunch Leo supporter and would give him ‘gender cred’ if elevated from Chief Whip – where ‘new politics’ has often defeated her.
JOHN PAUL PHELAN CHIEF WHIP A long standing critic of Enda Kenny and ally of Mr Varadkar, many have been speculating in recent days that the job of Chief Whip may transfer from Regina Doherty to John Paul Phelan. He is well regarded in the party and could easily keep his fellow TDs in line.
CHARLIE FLANAGAN DUMPED The Foreign Affairs Minister is on his way out of Cabinet on foot of what Mr Varadkar said about his team reflecting generational change. The wrong side of 60, the writing is on the wall for the one-time children’s minister.